London Fog Earl Grey Tea Latte
London Fog
Earl Grey, steamed milk and vanilla: the cozy tea latte named for a city it did not come from.
A London Fog is an Earl Grey tea latte: strong Earl Grey topped with steamed milk and sweetened with vanilla syrup. It is usually said to have been invented in Vancouver in the 1990s.
Sensory profile
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 47 mg in one serving (12 oz cup), a concentration of 13.2 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Mug or Teapot + Milk Frother |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 3 parts tea to 2 parts milk |
| Base & finished drink | 3g → 300g |
| Grind size | Loose leaf or tea bag |
| Water temperature | 208°F / 98°C |
| Target brew time | 4:00 |
| Serving | 12 oz cup |
What you need
- 3 g loose-leaf Earl Grey, or one Earl Grey tea bag
- 180 g filtered water at 98°C
- 10 g vanilla syrup, about 2 teaspoons
- 120 g milk, or a plant milk made for steaming
Required gear
- Mug or teapot that holds about 12 oz
- Kettle with temperature control
- Infuser or strainer
- Milk jug and a steam wand, or a small saucepan and a handheld frother
- Scale accurate to 0.1 g
- Thermometer
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Pour 180 g of water at 98°C over 3 g of Earl Grey in the mug or pot. Cover and start the timer.
- 4:00Remove the leaf or the tea bag and stir in about 10 g of vanilla syrup.
- 4:15Heat 120 g of milk to 60 to 65°C with a steam wand, or warm it in a saucepan and froth it with a handheld frother. For an iced London Fog, skip the heating, let the sweetened tea cool, pour it over ice and add cold milk.
- 5:15Pour the milk into the tea, holding back the foam with a spoon, then spoon the foam on top. Serve at once.
Troubleshooting
What it may be good for
A number worth knowing
We list about 47 mg for the 12 oz cup, made with one serving of Earl Grey (about 3 g of leaf). A typical 8 oz cup of black tea has about 47 mg, and the figure moves with how much leaf you use and how long you steep.
Strong tea, hot but not too hot
Steep the tea stronger than you would drink it plain, because the milk will mute it, and keep the milk at 60-65°C. Past about 70°C it tastes scalded.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
- Vanilla syrup adds sugar, and the drink contains dairy unless you use a plant milk.
A London Fog is an Earl Grey tea latte: strong Earl Grey topped with steamed milk and sweetened with vanilla syrup. It is usually said to have been invented in Vancouver in the 1990s. Steeped at 98°C, it tastes of bergamot, vanilla and warm milk.
Origin & Story
The name sounds like Victorian soot and gaslight, and the drink is from Vancouver. The story most people tell is that Mary Loria, pregnant and ready to give up coffee, ordered an Earl Grey with milk and vanilla sugar at the Buckwheat Cafe on Fourth Avenue in the 1990s, liked it, and kept asking for it until other cafes copied the idea. She has said she does not know who gave it its name.
It is not the only claim. Other cafes lay claim to it too, including one in Langley, Washington that says it was serving the drink first, so read the origin as a good story rather than a settled fact.
In the cup, it is a latte only in shape. There is no espresso. The base is Earl Grey steeped stronger than you would drink it alone, so the bergamot and malt can still be found under the milk. Vanilla syrup sweetens it, and the milk is steamed or frothed into a pale cloud on top, which is where the fog in the name is usually said to come from.
Because the base is ordinary Earl Grey, a London Fog is a caffeinated tea drink, not a decaf one. Variations are easy: a little lavender, a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, a plant milk, or an iced version made by cooling the tea first.
Steep 3 g of Earl Grey in 180 ml of water at 98°C for four minutes, stir in about 10 g of vanilla syrup, and top with 120 ml of milk steamed to 60 to 65°C.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 85/100 |
| Acidity | 35/100 |
| Bitterness | 25/100 |
| Body | 70/100 |
| Aroma | 92/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in London Fog Earl Grey Tea Latte?
One serving, 12 oz cup, contains approximately 47 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for London Fog Earl Grey Tea Latte?
Brew the base at 98°C (208°F). Where the milk is heated, 60–65°C is the target; past about 70°C it tastes scalded and loses its sweetness.
How long should London Fog Earl Grey Tea Latte be extracted?
Timing: 4:00. Method: Mug or Teapot + Milk Frother. Ratio: 3 g Earl Grey in 180 ml of water (17 g/L), then 120 ml milk. Grind or leaf format: Loose leaf or tea bag.
Why does my London Fog Earl Grey Tea Latte taste bitter?
In a milk drink, bitterness comes from the base (espresso pulled too long or tea steeped too long) or from scorched milk. Brew the base to the stated proportion, and if the milk is heated, stop at 60–65°C.
Who invented the London Fog?
The usual answer is Mary Loria, who says she first ordered it at a Vancouver cafe in the 1990s. Other cafes claim it too, and Loria has said she does not know who named it, so read the origin as a good story rather than a settled fact.
Can I make a London Fog with a tea bag?
Yes. One Earl Grey tea bag, or about a tablespoon of loose leaf, steeped in six to eight ounces of hot water gives a strong enough base. Choose an Earl Grey made with real bergamot oil if you want the citrus perfume to survive the milk.
How do I make an iced London Fog?
Steep the tea strong, stir in the vanilla syrup while it is hot, let it cool, then pour it over ice and add cold milk. Froth the milk first if you want the cloudy top.
Who should avoid London Fog Earl Grey Tea Latte?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. Vanilla syrup adds sugar, and the drink contains dairy unless you use a plant milk. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
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